First Generation Students

• TC Specific 

1. TC celebrates first generation students & faculty, and is committed to amplifying their stories, read more at: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/first-gen/ 
2. Legal Resources for International and Undocumented Students 

• Information for First-Generation Students

1. What does First Generation mean? 
   
   
• It may depend on who you ask and it can be complicated, but the most standard definition is that being a first-gen student means that your parents did not complete a 4-year college or university degree. This might look like your parents having taken classes, but not finishing their degree; or, that they received a degree outside of the United States. Colleges and universities may use any variation of this definition, so be sure to ask your admissions counselor, academic advisor, or a faculty member to learn more.
  
  
• TC welcomes trailblazers, the individuals who are among the first in their families to attend and graduate from college. Join our vibrant community filled with fresh faces and diverse worldviews dedicated to helping students thrive. We work collaboratively to decrease the achievement gap for underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income students.

Article: How first-generation college students can find internships and jobs

Article: College career service offices: a great resources for job-hunting, first-generation students and recent grads 

Article: Advice for helping first-generation students succeed in graduate school

Article: You’re a first-generation graduate student—how do you succeed?

Article: On Mentoring First Generation And Graduate Students Of Color

Podcast: First Gen Lounge: Professional Development 

Podcast Episode: Being A First-Generation PhD Student 

Video: Overcoming imposter syndrome | Office Hours with Scott Rising

Video: What I have learned as a first-generation college student | Lyric Swinton | TEDxUofSC

Risefirst offers over 1200 curated resources to support the success of first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students and professionals nationwide in achieving their full potential.

Center for First-Generation Student Success: “while we do not work with first-gen students directly, we want to help you navigate your institutions and locate more information that will allow you to succeed. Check out the sections below to get started.”